Nation’s Giant Hamburgers Launches Franchise Program

By: Nation's Giant Hamburgers | 0 Shares 672 Reads

The restaurant concept from the Bay Area hires former Salata Salad Kitchen president

August 04, 2023 // Franchising.com // El Cerrito, CA - Nation’s Giant Hamburger announces a team of industry veterans to guide the next chapter of the legacy comfort food chain for the next 70 years to come.

The Nation’s Giant Hamburgers executive team features:

Grant Power - Owner
Adam Smith - Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Bythewood - President

For Grant Power, Nation’s Giant Hamburgers is in his DNA. His father, Dale Power, was the original partner to founder Russ Harvey, so Grant’s earliest memories include driving around with his father visiting stores and searching for new locations for the next restaurant. “There’s no memory I have that doesn’t include Nation’s in it."

On what makes Nation’s Giant Hamburgers so special, Power explains, “We need places where people can come in anytime no matter what is going on in their lives, and it's warm, it's loving, and it's positive. We’ve cultivated an environment where our guests can be themselves; there's no script that they need to follow.”

Nation’s Giant Hamburgers CEO Adam Smith joined the team in June 2022. His history with the brand is also one of fond memories and pivotal life moments as he recalls eating there frequently with Power during their time together at UC Berkeley School of Law. After graduating, Smith moved out of state to work for a law firm, but his friendship with Power remained. Most recently, Smith served as Senior Vice President of Legal and External Affairs at California Resources, an independent energy and carbon management company committed to energy transition.

After learning of Power’s plans for Nation’s Giant Hamburgers in early 2022 and being asked to join as CEO, Smith eagerly accepted and started working diligently to put the processes in place to get the concept ready for franchising. Smith says, “The one piece of the puzzle that we needed to fill was finding a brand president, and for that we wanted the best in the business. That’s when we reached out to Michelle.”

To spearhead Nation’s Giant Hamburgers’ expansion plans Power has appointed former Salata Salad Kitchen president, Michelle Bythewood, as President.

Power comments, “After meeting with Michelle we knew immediately she was the right person for the job based on her vision for the future of the brand, and comprehensive experience with taking brands to the next level.”

Prior to joining Nation’s Giant Hamburgers Michelle served as president of Salata Salad Kitchen from 2019-2023. During this time she spearheaded the continued evolution and implementation of the company’s overall vision, core values and strategic direction, as well as operations, logistics, and innovation. Under Michelle’s leadership, Salata increased its locations by 30 percent, growing in several key existing markets including Houston, Dallas and Atlanta, while also entering new markets including Charlotte.

Nation’s Giant Hamburgers serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Nation’s fans have come to know the Northern California-based chain for its fresh produce, heaping burgers and sandwiches, shakes and sundaes, breakfast served all day, and pies available year round. In fact, in 2022 alone, Nation’s served over one million pies featuring fresh California produce, dairy and chocolate products.

SOURCE Nation’s Giant Hamburgers

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